The Cuban National Soccer Team Has Really Taken A Liking to Miami

The Cuban National U-23 soccer team needs a win over Panama Saturday to avoid elimination--could be a tough order now that they are down to a ten-man roster. Seven players defected:

"We were sitting down to eat and we slipped out a side entrance of the hotel and ran for it," said Yenier Bermudez, the team captain, wearing his red national team jersey.

The players left without their passports, wearing only the clothes on their backs. None of them have family in the United States.

Wednesday night they appeared on WLTV (Univision) in Miami, appealing to viewers to help them begin their new lives in exile.

"Principally we want to play for the MLS, and play professional soccer," said goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda.

This all from the St. Petersburg Times. Cuba ended up losing Thursday (but only by 2-0).

The US still needs a win or a tie against Honduras to qualify--or they'd be in if Cuba loses to Panama. Both games are on Saturday.